Mobility Helps Drew Stanton

Notes: No suspensions expected; getting some rest; Tuerk signed

Cardinals quarterback Drew Stanton scrambles against the 49ers on Sunday.

Drew Stanton isn’t going to be mistaken for a true dual-threat NFL quarterback, as he would certainly not fare well in a foot-race with Russell Wilson or Tyrod Taylor.

But his mobility was noticeable in the Cardinals’ 20-10 win over the 49ers on Sunday. Stanton ran a bootleg, scrambled from the pocket to avoid pressure and even kept the ball on a designed run to pick up a first down. While not a natural running threat, Stanton does bring a superior element of athleticism compared to Carson Palmer, a more traditional pocket passer.

“It just adds something,” coach Bruce Arians said. “Carson is extremely mobile in the pocket. Drew adds some creativity when he got out of there. … He gives you a little bit more mobile quarterback. I wouldn’t say he’s mobile, but he is athletic.”

Stanton’s first touchdown pass came on a scramble, when he kept the play alive just long enough to find wide receiver Jaron Brown in the end zone. His read-option carry was a bit unexpected but worked nicely, fooling the 49ers for a five-yard gain on third-and-1 early in the fourth quarter. The Cardinals took a two-score lead when a field goal capped that drive.

“I knew there was a potential of (the play) coming up, and you’re seeing that a little bit more in the league because people are getting into it,” Stanton said. “It’s not necessarily just athletic quarterbacks now. There are guys like me who are trying to do it – read (defensive) ends and get down. Especially the element of surprise is probably the greatest thing. They weren’t anticipating that.”

Stanton has only been sacked 12 times in 10 starts with the Cardinals, an average of 1.2 times per game. The 49ers didn’t sack him.

“The biggest thing I’m trying to do when I’m out there is create stuff,” Stanton said. “If it’s there, great, and if not, get rid of it. I had a handful of throwaways while trying to do stuff. We’ve got some guys that can create space and get open. Sometimes things break down and everybody on our offense knows things don’t go according to plan when I’m out there. So being able to adapt to that is some of the things we can use to our advantage.”

ARIANS DOESN’T EXPECT SUSPENSIONS

Outside linebacker Haason Reddick and defensive lineman Frostee Rucker were ejected from the game against the 49ers for their roles in a skirmish in the fourth quarter. Arians said fines could be coming, but he doesn’t believe either player will be suspended against the Seahawks.

“With the rules put in place last year, any kind of suspension would have already taken place,” Arians said. “We play Thursday night. You would suspend a guy on Monday, appeal it on Tuesday and be able to make a roster move on Wednesday. We would have needed to have known that right now.”

The NFL announced a suspension of Buccaneers wideout Mike Evans on Monday, but there was nothing about the Cardinals, which seems to validate Arians’ thinking. 49ers running back Carlos Hyde was also ejected and is not expected to be suspended.

RESTING UP

The quick turnaround means light practices for the Cardinals this week, as each day will feature a walk-through instead of any live action. Arians wants the team to be mentally tuned in while recovering physically.

“Everybody knows “Thursday Night Football” is a reality, so you deal with it,” Arians said. “I think we’ve had a good plan the last few years of how to get prepared to play these games. The physical part of it, you have to wait until the game.”

The Cardinals sent out an injury report with an estimation of player statuses had there had been a full practice. Those who would have been limited were safety Budda Baker (ankle), linebacker Karlos Dansby (finger/hamstring), safety Rudy Ford (foot), wide receiver Brittan Golden (groin), defensive lineman Frostee Rucker (shin) and wide receiver Chad Williams (back).

CARDINALS SIGN CENTER MAX TUERK

The Cardinals put backup center Daniel Munyer on injured reserve with a toe injury, and signed Max Tuerk off the Chargers’ practice squad to replace him on the roster. Tuerk was a third-round pick in the 2016 draft.

The Cardinals also made a practice squad move, adding rookie tackle Storm Norton. Norton was on the Lions’ practice squad and active roster this season after going undrafted out of Toledo. Tackle Javarius Leamon was released from the practice squad to make room.

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